TuskCracker
後輩
- 17 Jan 2004
- 531
- 14
Sniping Between China, Japan Escalates
By AUDRA ANG
The Associated Press
Tuesday, May 24, 2005; 2:39 PM
BEIJING -- China on Tuesday blamed Japanese comments about a war shrine for its decision to cut short a visit to Tokyo by one of Beijing's top officials, setting off a new round of sniping between the Asian powers as Japan demanded an apology for the apparent snub.
Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi abruptly canceled a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and left Tokyo on Monday in a move that appears to have shaken a tenuous truce between the two rivals, which are trying to dissipate ill will unleashed during anti-Japanese protests in China last month.
Kong Quan, a spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, said Beijing was upset about remarks Japanese leaders made during Wu's eight-day trip concerning visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, which critics say glorifies Tokyo's militaristic past. China's state-run Xinhua news agency denounced Koizumi for what it said was his remark that he did not see why he should stop visiting the memorial.
"China's government attaches great importance to its relations with Japan and has made unrelenting efforts in this regard," Kong said. "This visit by Vice Premier Wu Yi to Japan gives testimony to such efforts.
"What is very regrettable is that during Vice Premier Wu Yi's visit, the Japanese leaders made repeated remarks on the Yasukuni Shrine, which is not conducive to bilateral relations."
He added: "We are not happy with that."
But Japanese officials condemned the sudden departure as a breach of political etiquette.
"In terms of manners, it lacked common sense," said Internal Affairs Minister Taro Aso.
Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura complained to reporters that "there was no word of apology."
"There is supposed to be a word of apology, and without it a society cannot function," he said.
... on and on..
would like to offer an opinion regarding recent anti-Japanese protests in China. If anyone thinks that the resent violent demonstrations are spontaneous protests caused by textbooks, then they are greatly mistaken. In a country where non-government sanctioned gatherings are strictly forbidden, the protesters in question obviously had tacit approval if not encouragement from the powers that be. Cunningly, the Chinese government is channeling unrest and decent away from domestic issues to a foreign entity - in this case Japan. It is an old trick responsible for many wars throughout history. But the real issue, as the Chinese government knows well enough, is not Japanese textbooks: it's Japan seeking permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council. Even if my assertion is faulty, that textbooks are being used as a pretext for demonstrations, the fact is no country has the right to mandate what another country prints in its school textbooks. Would the United States of America allow Vietnam, Korea, the Philippines or any other country for that matter, dictate what went into its school textbooks. I don't think so. Good thing too because if America had to record each one of its crimes against a foreign state and people then their children would be carrying around some pretty heavy books!
The truth of the matter is Japan simply wants to live in the present and look to the future. But there are those who will always want to return to the past - especially if it serves their political interests as in the recent developments in China. But the fact is no amount of contriteness or 'coming to terms' with the past (which Japan has already expressed on many occasions) will ever satisfy China. If it is not an apology, it's dictating the contents of Japan's textbooks. If not dictating the contents of textbooks, its a never ending demand for war reparations. If not reparations, it's trade concessions. The truth is China will always dig up the past no matter what is printed in textbooks - especially when trade agreements, concessions, territorial issues are at stake. And most definitely when the international status quo is being reformed.
To add insult to injury, in the process of deriding Japan, the Chinese government now pertains to speak on behalf of all Asia. Coming from a non-democratic government that has murdered well over 40 million of its own people, perhaps they should speak for themselves - or at least add the millions murdered under communist rule to their textbooks!
Joe Rankin
I didn't write this, but i totally agree. this demonstrations and posturing by China, is % 99.0 for recent political issues. China is using the moral issue to be a bully on recent issues. Deep down, they are really do not care about WWII and the atrocities. Issues are;
-> Membership in United Nations
-> Small border disputes, based on Islands
-> Rubbing the nose of Japan, further, which is aggravated by the very vocal minority right-wing Japanese nationalist
-> Bulling Japan, to slow their leverage on the Taiwan issue
At least Japan is a democracy with no restrictions on access to
information abroad. Can you say that of Mainland/Communist China.
Meanning Concealing the facts of invasion in WWII?
Sorry, I have to disagree.JackInBox said:WWII is one of the most well documented events in history. Nothing
has been concealed. Some people "live in the past", never able to
more forward.
WWII is one of the most well documented events in history. Nothing
has been concealed. Some people "live in the past", never able to
more forward.
Some people "live in the past", never able to more forward.
JackinBox said:my father's family left germany and went to Shanghai China in the 1930's, eventually coming to America (via China, Egypt, Bolivia).
JackinBox said:Some people "live in the past", never able to more forward.
He was in a very German family running from Nazism.In 1930's , China is suffering all kinds of wars ,civil and Japanese invasion , it's somewhat a popular action to go to America and live there.
And if you are a good father, you should teach your daughter the value of compassion and empathy
didn't write this, but i totally agree. this demonstrations and posturing by China, is % 99.0 for recent political issues. China is using the moral issue to be a bully on recent issues. Deep down, they are really do not care about WWII and the atrocities.
Three posting to yourself. Says something>Don't preach to me. You went from recent travel impressions, to issues of WWII.
qwertyu
20-06-05, 05:23
20-06-05, 05:32
20-06-05, 05:36